Relevant Faith: Ramzee Robinson prays through the challenge of working in professional football

Ramzee Robinson gives thanks to God for the career, as uneven as it's been, that he's building in the NFL. This photo is from his short time with the Cleveland Browns.

By Aldo Amatofor Huntsville Times

TUSCALOOSA — It was a crisp Spring evening in Huntsville the night of April 27, 2007.

In a room crowded with family members and friends, Fedetrice Robinson waited to hear her son Ramzee's name on day one of the 2007 NFL draft.

"It was a day I will never, ever forget," Fedetrice Robinson said. "I just sat in front of the television all day just waiting to hear my son's name."

Fedetrice was not the only person waiting to hear Ramzee's name. Robinson, now with the Denver Broncos, had been waiting for this day since his graduation from the University of Alabama, where he played defensive back.

"I was told before the draft that I'd go somewhere between the second round and fourth at the latest," Ramzee said. "It turned out that I'd have to wait much longer to hear my name to be called."

Robinson, now 28, said he started losing patience after the Detroit Lions failed to pick him with the first pick of the fourth round.

"I stopped watching after the fourth round," he said. "I began to doubt myself and flashback to when I was playing at Alabama and think of all the bad plays I had made. But one person never stopped watching – my mother."

After two agonizing days of doubting himself and exploring alternative options, the moment finally came with the 255th pick of the Draft. Ramzee Robinson was drafted by the Detroit Lions and received the title of "Mr. Irrelevant,” the very last pick of the NFL Draft.

"I had no idea what Mr. Irrelevant meant," Robinson said. "My family and I were just so relieved that I had been finally called. It was a very emotional night."

That April night, five years ago this week, would be as Robinson recalls the most memorable moments of his young life. But as he would soon find out, nothing lasts forever in the NFL.

Detroit Lions guard Ben Noll, rear, and teammate cornerback Ramzee Robinson celebrate their 27-26 win over the Cincinnati Bengals in a preseason football game in Detroit on Aug. 9, 2007. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Learning the Business

After the being drafted, Robinson said he got a taste of what it was really like to be at the bottom of the depth chart.

"I felt like I was a freshman at Alabama again," he said. "I was trying to be the best and earn a roster spot and then it happened."

After being cut to the Lions' practice squad, Robinson said he was approached by then head coach Rod Marinelli before week seven.

"He told me that I was ready to go," he said. "He put it into terms saying that it was time to go out there and earn my 'steak.'"

Robinson's first NFL appearance came against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he notched two tackles on special teams including one on the opening kickoff.

"I was in another world," Robinson said. "I almost threw up that opening kickoff because everything started flashing back from all the way back to when I played at Butler High (in Huntsville) to now being in on an NFL kickoff."

That moment would be short lived.

Robinson fluctuated between the practice squad and the actual 53-man roster before being cut by the Lions in September of 2009. It was then that the former Tide standout would become an NFL journeyman looking for what he said was, a sense of belonging.

Strength and speed trainer Crystal Harris urges Robinson through cone drills in February, before he moved to Denver. During his two off-seasons, Robinson kept up a grueling schedule of training, work and volunteering. (Courtesy of the Denver Post)

"Every preseason I would bust my tail and make play after play," Robinson said. "But I would keep getting cut for salary cap reasons."

Following his stint with the Lions, Robinson was signed and cut by both the Philadelphia Eagles and Cleveland Browns. But his toughest cut would be from the Washington Redskins after their 2010 pre-season.

"I was sure I was going to make the cut," Robinson said. "The Redskins cut really hurt because I was playing my best ball and after that I wasn't sure I would get another chance."

Ben Faulds, Robinson's marketing agent, said that Ramzee's frustration had reached a point to where his faith would have to carry him to his next destination.

"Ramzee is a man of great faith," Faulds said. "Without the faith in Christ that someone like Ramzee displays, he would have given up on his dream a long time ago."

NFL pro player Ramzee Robinson helps lead a prayer group in February 2012 with another volunteer for the after-school tutoring program he volunteered for at Butler High School during the last season he spent off a pro-football team. (Courtesy of the Denver Post)

Faith Conquers All

After being released by the Redskins, Robinson said he turned to God to help him find his path not just in professional football, but in life itself.

"I just had to sit down and talk with Christ," said Robinson, who spent the fall of 2010 until March working at an insurance office in Athens, volunteering at the Huntsville Inner-city Learning Center, which is housed at his alma mater Butler High School, and working out at local gyms to stay fit.

"Here I was with a wife and a family that I had to look after, and I needed guidance from a higher power."

Robinson's mother said she also took notice of her son's strengthened faith in times of adversity.

"From the day he started in the league to the point he is at now," she said. "It is a complete U-turn that is hard to describe and I am just thankful for that. That my son has the strength to never give up and is strengthened in Christ."

"I am so blessed to be here with the Broncos," Robinson said. "They represent pure class from their GM to Coach Fox. I am so blessed to have another opportunity to show that I can be the best cover cornerback I can be."

Faulds said that Robinson's faith life has had a profound impact on the team already.

Lulu Turrubiartes leaps into his arms in February 2012 when Ramzee Robinson arrives at the Huntsville Inner-city Learning Center, which is housed at Butler High School, his alma mater. (Courtesy of the Denver Post)

"Ramzee has already been asked to lead the team's Bible study group," he said. "He has many goals this coming off-season on the field, but he is already fulfilling some of the goals he aimed for off the field – and I believe his faith has a huge part to do with it."

Robinson, now entering his fifth season, said that he has kept some of the same goals going into this year's training camp that he has had in previous ones. But the main goal he said he wants to fulfill is to remain humble and become a role model.

"I would stress to all of the draftees coming out of Alabama one thing," he said. "Remain humble and look at the NFL as a privilege. If you do those two things, and with a strong faith life, you can preserve through whatever challenge awaits you."